Velocipede fork



Mziy 30, 1939. B; J. ANDERSON VELOCIPEDE FORK Filed Dec. 12, 1935 Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved fork for a velocipede and has for one of its principal objects the provision of means for economically producing a sturdy and dependable article from 5 a single stamping.

Another and further important object of the invention resides in the provision of means for providing shaft bearings at the lower ends of the fork.

Still another and further important object of advantage of the improved fork of the invention resides in the provision of means for securing a handle bar to the upper end of the steering post.

Additional objects of importance and advantage will be apparent from the disclosures made in the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a velocipede fork which embodies the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the joined ends of the fork post and a handle bar post, parts thereof being broken away, and

Fig. '7 is a sectional View taken on line '!'i of Fig. 6.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral l indicates in general the post or stem portion of a sheet metal fork. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the edges [2 of the post Ill, which are joined at the front thereof, are interlocking as is best shown in Fig. 1. It will be apparent that departures covering a wide range and using various conventional forms of interlocking edges may be used in the forming of the post. The view in Fig. 1 being used merely to illustrate the preferred construction.

Formed in the upper end of the improved fork, preferably directly opposite the joined edges i2 is a vertical tongue M which is adapted to engage a portion of a handle bar l3. In the preferred construction of the improved fork, the upper end of the tongue 14 terminates flush with the end of the post. In the present construction it will be noted that the edges l of the openings I6 on each side of the tongue l4 are adapted to contact portions of the handle bar and thus are utilized in transferring rotative force from said handle bar to the fork.

Formed in opposed sides of the tubular post In,

slightly below the level of the base of the tongue, are bolt receiving openings 18 which are adapted to receive a bolt I 9 to prevent longitudinal movement of a handle bar positioned on the post.

Formed at the base of the tubular post ID is a shoulder 20 which serves as a thrust bearing when the fork is assembled with a velocipede frame.

Extending downwardly from opposed sides of the shoulder 20 is a pair of prongs 22 which preferably are segmental in cross section, as is best shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that each prong 22 comprises a'segment of considerable width to a point adjacent each lower end thereof. This construction allows a relatively light gauge metal to be used in the construction of the fork, but still produces a strong and rugged article.

The lower end of each prong 22 is turned outwardly and curled to produce a bearing 24. The edges 26 of the bearing 24 are preferably joined at the bottom thereof. The bearings 24 are in alignment and are adapted to support a pedal or crank shaft. The upper surface of each bearing 24 is preferably flat, as is best shown in Fig. 2. to provide a stronger and more rigid construction and to also form a support for a fender.

Extending diagonally from the middle of the top surface of each bearing 24 to the prong 22 is a rib 26a which adds greatly to the strength and appearance of the structure.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a sturdy and rugged fork and steering post which may be economically constructed of a single stamping.

It will be further apparent that because of the wide bearing surfaces afforded for the pedal shaft the device is exceptionally long lived and moreover, the pedal shaft is not soon scored or grooved.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention 1. A fork for a velocipede comprising, a single stamping having a tubular upper portion and a bifurcated lower portion, means for rotatably securing a shaft to said bifurcated lower portion, said means comprising each end of said lower portion being turned outwardly and portions of said outwardly turned ends being adapted to be crimped about a shaft, and a tongue formed of a part of said tubular upper portion, said tongue ing having an apertured tubular upper portion and a bifurcated lower portion, the edges of said tubular upper portion being interlocked, means for rotatably securing a wheel to said bifurcated lower portion, said means comprising bearings formed of the outwardly projecting ends of said bifurcated lower portion, said outwardly projecting ends being curled to form substantially tubular bearing members, and a tongue formed of a part of said tubular upper portion, said tongue providing means for securing an operating member to the upper portion of said fork.

BERT J. ANDERSON. 

